Renewable energy for managing energy crisis in Pakistan

Abstract

Only 55% of the Pakistan's population has access to electricity and per capita supply is about 520 kWh. At present, the people are facing severe load shedding/blackout problems due to shortage of about 3 GW power supply. Gas and oil have 65% share in conventional electricity generation. Indigenous reserves of oil and gas are limited and the country heavily depends on imported oil. The oil import bill is a serious strain on the country's economy. Though there is huge coal potential in the country but has not been utilized due to various reasons. This shows that Pakistan must develop renewables to manage the energy crises. This paper analyses the prospects of renewables for managing the energy crises in the country. The study concludes that there is substantial potential of renewables in the country for managing the present energy crises as well as meeting the future energy needs. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.